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PROS

Elegant revision of the partner system; retains the 'conversational' flow of combat without needing a second screen.

Oodles of content to explore; from collecting pins to replaying and unlocking extra content.

CONS

An option to skip the dialogue has once again been overlooked; a cruel blow to those only interested in the gameplay.

Many icons left 'low res'; gives the game a subtle unfinished feeling.

VERDICT

TWEWY: Solo Remix feels at home on the iOS platform, retaining the revolutionary combat system of the DS original and pairing it with visuals that are on par with modern 2D console titles.

Full Review

App Store Info

You know a game has a grip on you when you say something like, "I'd have bought a Nintendo DS just to play it". The World Ends With You (TWEWY) was just such a game for me, and knowing that I'd get to play it again on the iOS platform immediately dredged up a host of happy memories spent lazily enjoying its Beat'em-up RPG-like gameplay. The reason I'm gushing from the outset is to establish a base-level of 'rose-tinted glasses' for our readers/viewers and perhaps to soften the blow of the following statement: TWEWY for iPhone and iPad is not perfect.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it doesn't live up to the original Nintendo DS game just because it removes an entire screen - in fact the game's solution to this issue is quite elegant - or because it somehow messes with the original in a fundamental way (it doesn't), but rather that the port is so faithful that despite the vast improvements made to the game, it retains many of the basic flaws of the original such as the dated use of text bubbles to tell the story.

When you take this in to consideration you can focus on the game's many successes, including a revamping of the visuals to a glorious Retina-quality resolution and retooled social systems such as the Tin Pin Slammers side-game; Twitter integration; and easy to use trading. Despite already existing on the Nintendo DS, this feels like a game designed from the ground-up for the iOS platform.

You play the game (ostensibly) as Neku, a smart-alec loner-type who finds himself lost in the UG, or 'Underground', and forced to play a game run by The Reapers or face being erased. Along his journey he bumps in to other 'players', forming pacts of friendship in order to defeat the 'Noise'- creatures controlled by The Reapers. It's a game with distinctly Japanese themes (aside from the fact that it's set in the trendy Shibuya District of Tokyo).

TWEWY's central gameplay revolves around 'pins' - collectable items that can be used to unlock various powers in combat including active abilities and passive boosts. They can be leveled up to increase their potency and potentially even 'evolve' in to powerful new pins if they earn enough of the right experience, and to get them all you'll need to invest in trading with other players.

Of course their best use comes in the form of direct combat with Noise, with each pin activating based on a specific gesture used on screen, from swiping to tapping or even moving Neku around the screen. Your partner can also get in on the act too, making it easy to dish out huge amounts of damage, especially if you alternate attacks to 'sync' up and activate a super-power.

Things get even more complicated when fashion trends start to influence the strength of your equipped clothes and pins, while eating food (up to 24 'bytes' a day) can also give you a permanent stat boost, and turning off your game to go do something else can earn you experience for your pins (up to a set limit).

If there's any downside to playing The World Ends With You, it's that iPhone users are unlikely to be using a stylus, resulting in a fair share of misclicks, but it's hard to complain at all on the iPad, especially when it proves to be so responsive.

A final note of mention goes to the price of the game - something I'm sure will become a hot topic of discussion. If you own the original, then you know whether or not you want to invest in this game; if you loved it, then you're being afforded a chance to play it again in a readily accessible form. If you didn't own the original, you'd be mad not to get it, especially if it goes on sale; even if you can get the original at the same price, this version features improved visuals and gameplay features, making it worth making your primary choice.

Description

SUPPORTED DEVICES
iOS 5.1.1 or later is required.

Square Enix’s fresh-faced hit The New York Times called “one of the best role playing games ever designed for anything” has busted onto iOS in a big way, with a slick and addictive new combat system, eye-popping HD art, and (of course) plenty of zetta awesome reasons for longtime fans to double dip.

Arm yourself with psychic superpowers and battle your way through a 7-day gauntlet of action: the Reaper’s Game.

THE SETUP
-------------------------------------------------
Welcome to Shibuya, a mishmash of attitudes and styles in the heart of Tokyo.

A boy named Neku wakes up in a crowded intersection, alone and unaware of how he got there. Then, he receives a weird text: “Clear this mission...or face erasure.” With that, Neku is thrust into a life-or-death Game that sends him scrambling down streets paved with one riddle after another...

What is the Reaper’s Game? Why is Neku a Player, and what is he playing for? Will the Game really end if he survives all 7 days? Another mystery is always around the corner.

THE PAYOFF
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- Intuitive, addictive combat with a twist
Activate your combat abilities, or “psychs,” with simple touch commands like tapping, slashing, and dragging. Comfy with that? Control Neku and his Game partner on the same screen and take the combat up a notch. Like loot? Boost your item drops in battle with the revamped Fusion system.

- Deep replay value
Finish the main story to unlock a hilarious bonus chapter, more quests and items to find, new combat challenges, and secret reports that flesh out the story even more.

- Explore a living, breathing city
Neku’s sprawling world is based on the real-life Shibuya in Tokyo. Visit real locations and absorb some real Japanese culture through a hip fantasy lens.

- Redrawn art and Retina display support
Enjoy the game in full HD on your Retina-enabled iPhone 4 or later device. Art and animation across the game has been redrawn just for this release, making combat a beautiful experience. This is how all 2D classics should look.

- The ultimate soundtrack: 60 songs
Composer Takeharu Ishimoto’s complete, sonically sublime soundtrack is included right in the game with high-quality audio and full vocals, including remixes and new songs.

THE VERDICT
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Praise for the original The World Ends with You:

What's New in Version 1.2.3

Screenshots

Comments

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Chesco3 years, 4 months ago

LOL @ $11 for a phone game!

$.99 or GTFO!

YumeVision3 years, 4 months ago

I bought this for iPhone when it went on sale for $13.99 and now wish I had waited! But then I wouldn't have already played the best game ever. You should definitely jump on this sale RIGHT NOW!!! $10.99 is a STEAL for such an amazing game!

FalloutNewVegas4 years, 3 months ago

This is my absolute favourite game on the NDS...And it's only for Iphone you say...Why is this world so cruel.

FalloutNewVegas4 years, 3 months ago

This is my absolute favourite game on the NDS...And it's only for Iphone you say...Why is this world so cruel.

andrew4 years, 3 months ago

There are separate iPhone and iPad releases. I reviewed the iPad one specifically, but the iPhone version is no less amazing :)